Golden Crispy Chicken Empanadas Recipe: A Fiesta in Every Bite

Crispy, golden chicken empanadas dance with flavor and promise a delightful culinary adventure.

Pastry pockets bursting with savory goodness await your eager taste buds.

Tender shredded chicken nestles inside flaky, buttery dough that melts in your mouth.

Spices whisper stories of comfort and warmth from traditional kitchens.

Each bite carries the essence of home-cooked love and cultural heritage.

Simple ingredients come together to create something magical on your plate.

You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and start cooking right now.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Empanadas

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful protein that serves as the primary filling for the empanadas.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Aromatic vegetables that provide a soft texture and enhance the overall flavor profile of the filling.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that adds depth and complexity to the chicken mixture.

• Flour: The fundamental base for creating a tender and flaky pastry crust.
• Salt: A seasoning that enhances the overall taste of the dough.
• Butter: A rich ingredient that creates a tender and flaky texture in the pastry.
• Water: A binding agent that helps bring the dough together.

• Cumin: A warm spice that adds earthy and aromatic notes to the chicken filling.
• Paprika: A spice that provides a subtle smoky flavor and reddish color to the mixture.
• Black Pepper: A classic seasoning that introduces a mild heat and sharp taste.

• Egg: Used to create a golden and glossy exterior on the empanadas.
• Olive Oil: A cooking medium for sautéing the vegetables and developing flavors.

How to Make Chicken Empanadas the Easy Way

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Grab a skillet and heat olive oil over medium flame. Toss in diced onions and bell peppers, letting them dance and soften until they turn translucent and dreamy. Sprinkle minced garlic into the mix, stirring for a quick 30-second flavor burst.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Filling

• Cumin
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt

Stir everything together until the seasonings coat the chicken in a mouthwatering embrace. Remove from heat and let the mixture chill completely.

Step 3: Craft the Perfect Pastry Dough

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Work cold butter into the mixture using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it looks like coarse, crumbly sand. Slowly introduce cold water, mixing until the dough comes together in a smooth ball.

Step 4: Rest the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and send it to the refrigerator for a 30-minute timeout to firm up and relax.

Step 5: Roll and Shape

Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the chilled dough to a whisper-thin 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch cutter to create perfect circular dough rounds.

Step 6: Stuff and Seal

Place a generous spoonful of cooled chicken filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal in all that delicious goodness. Give the edges a playful crimp with a fork for extra security.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Brush the empanadas with beaten egg for a gorgeous golden shine. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for their oven adventure.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Slide the empanadas in and bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and develop an irresistible crispy exterior.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let the empanadas rest for 5 minutes – if you can resist! – before serving up these crispy, flavor-packed treats.

Smart Tips for Better Chicken Empanadas

• Prevent Soggy Dough: Chill dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, crisp crust that won't become limp or wet during baking.
• Seal Filling Securely: Press edges firmly with a fork to lock in juicy chicken mixture and prevent leaks during cooking.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust cumin and paprika quantities to match personal taste preferences without overpowering the chicken's natural flavor.
• Enhance Filling Moisture: Let cooked chicken mixture cool completely to help ingredients meld and prevent dough from becoming soggy during assembly.
• Optimize Egg Wash Shine: Brush empanadas generously with beaten egg for a beautiful golden-brown exterior that looks professionally baked.

Delicious Fillings and Flavors to Try

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Empanadas: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and cayenne pepper to the filling for a fiery kick that transforms the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Empanadas: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes into the chicken mixture for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Cheesy Bacon Chicken Empanadas: Mix crispy bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese into the chicken filling, creating a rich and indulgent version of the traditional empanada.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Alternative: Replace chicken with seasoned black beans, roasted corn, and diced bell peppers for a hearty plant-based variation that maintains the original recipe's essence.

What Goes Well with Chicken Empanadas

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Albariño from Spain offers bright citrus notes that complement the savory chicken filling, cutting through the richness with refreshing acidity.
• Serve Alongside Zesty Salsa Verde: Homemade green salsa with tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro provides a tangy contrast to the empanadas' buttery crust and warm spices.
• Elevate with Fresh Citrus Slaw: Create a light cabbage slaw dressed with lime juice and orange segments to balance the empanadas' hearty texture and add a vibrant, crunchy side.
• Match with Cool Avocado Crema: Blend ripe avocados with sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt to create a smooth, creamy dip that enhances the empanadas' robust chicken flavor.

Storage Tips for Chicken Empanada Leftovers

• Store cooked empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their crispy texture.
• Arrange unbaked empanadas on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. They'll keep perfectly for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Cool completely, wrap individually in aluminum foil, and store in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispness.
• Let empanadas sit at room temperature for no more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Answers to Your Chicken Empanada Questions

• Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?

Yes, ground beef, turkey, or pork work great as alternative protein options for empanadas.

• Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Absolutely! Chilling helps prevent shrinkage and creates a flakier, more tender pastry texture during baking.

• How can I prevent the empanadas from leaking?

Ensure you seal edges completely by pressing firmly with a fork and avoid overfilling the dough circles.

• Can I make empanadas ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the empanadas and freeze them uncooked. Just add a few extra minutes to baking time when cooking from frozen.

What Makes These Chicken Empanadas So Easy and Tasty

• Quick and Simple Preparation: Learn how to create delicious chicken empanadas with straightforward steps that anyone can follow, even without advanced cooking skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, game day gatherings, or casual lunch options that satisfy both kids and adults with their handheld, flavor-packed goodness.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: Easily adjust spices and seasonings to match personal taste preferences, making these empanadas adaptable for different palates and dietary needs while maintaining a delicious core recipe.
• No-Fuss Baking Method: Skip complicated frying techniques and opt for a clean, healthy baking approach that delivers crispy golden pastry without excess oil, ensuring a lighter and more convenient cooking experience.

Delightful Chicken Empanadas Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory chicken empanadas blend Mexican culinary traditions with flaky pastry perfection. Crisp golden edges and spiced filling invite home cooks to explore delicious handheld comfort that connects family and flavor in every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Filling:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, shredded
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped

Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup cold water

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté onions and bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
3. Incorporate shredded chicken, cumin, paprika, black pepper, and salt, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and create a cohesive filling.
4. Remove chicken mixture from heat and let cool completely to room temperature.
5. Prepare dough by combining flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
6. Cut cold butter into flour mixture using a pastry cutter or fingertips until resembling coarse crumbs.
7. Gradually add cold water, mixing until dough forms a smooth, cohesive ball.
8. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to rest and firm up.
9. Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness.
10. Cut dough into circular rounds using a 4-inch diameter cutter.
11. Place a spoonful of cooled chicken filling in the center of each dough circle.
12. Fold dough over filling to create a half-moon shape, pressing edges to seal completely.
13. Crimp edges with a fork to ensure secure closure.
14. Brush empanadas with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
15. Preheat oven to 375°F and arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
16. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crispy.
17. Allow empanadas to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Control oil temperature carefully to prevent soggy or greasy filling, ensuring crisp and flaky pastry exterior.
• Experiment with alternative protein options like pulled pork, beef, or vegetarian alternatives such as black beans and roasted vegetables for diverse flavor profiles.
• Optimize dough texture by handling minimally and keeping ingredients cold, which creates delicate, tender pastry layers.
• Consider making extra empanadas and freezing uncooked for quick future meals, storing them between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg